Amit Shah's proposed Chandigarh visit to bring BJP, SAD leaders close

There were rumours that both SAD and BJP may contest the general elections independently as BJP had blamed tainted Akali leaders for a defeat in assembly elections.

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Manjeet Sehgal

Chandigarh

June 5, 2018

UPDATED: June 5, 2018 20:28 IST

Amit Shah's Chandigarh visit is part of the Jan Sampark campaign.

The BSP-Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh and JD(S)-Congress in Karnataka has prompted BJP to rejuvenate ties with its allies which almost took a back seat during the last four years.

NDA's longtime ally Shiromani Akali Dal's chief Sukhbir Singh Badal recently hinted the meetings of NDA allies were missing. The relationship between BJP and SAD were strained after the assembly elections as Centre toed its own line on various issues.

Akalis were not happy as its leaders did not get a fair deal from the Modi government. There is also resentment among Akali leaders as they were not consulted while making the appointment of chairman and members of National Minorities Commission.

The Centre also ignored Akali Dal's demand to waive off GST on Golden Temple kitchen. It was accepted only after union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal threatened to quit.

BJP Chief Amit Shah will be in Chandigarh on Thursday to chair the meeting of party's core group. He will also take a courtesy call to meet Akali leaders. Though the party leaders call it a routine meeting but insiders say the root cause to meet Akali leaders is to strengthen the ties.

"SAD-BJP alliance is strong and time-tested. Amit Shah's Chandigarh visit is part of the Jan Sampark campaign. He will be meeting with the Akali Dal leaders," said BJP secretary Vineet Joshi.

There were rumours that both SAD and BJP may contest the general elections independently as BJP had blamed tainted Akali leaders for a defeat in assembly elections.

However, on record, both the parties say their alliance was intact and they will be contesting future assembly and Lok Sabha polls together.

When contacted Senior Akali Dal leader Prem Singh Chandumajra also said the meeting between Akalis and BJP leaders was routine and the rumours about SAD contesting elections independently were baseless.